What's Being Discussed
The Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group — a group established under Hawaii's Act 209 (2025) — is meeting to continue its work on how to handle electric vehicle (EV) batteries when they reach the end of their useful life. The meeting will cover three main topics:

A proposed state law (EPR Bill): The group will continue reviewing a draft bill that would hold battery manufacturers and producers responsible for managing EV battery waste in Hawaii — a policy approach known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Best practices for end-of-life EV batteries: The group will review recommendations on how to safely handle, store, and dispose of EV batteries, along with a proposed informational bulletin and training materials.
A draft report to the state legislature: The group will review a report covering topics such as opportunities to reuse or repurpose old EV batteries, the pros and cons of recycling batteries in Hawaii versus shipping them out of state, environmental impacts, and the feasibility of building a local recycling program.

Decisions Expected

The group is expected to review and refine member feedback on the draft EPR bill and best-practices recommendations.
The draft report will be reviewed, potentially moving it closer to a final version for submission.

Who Should Pay Attention

EV owners in Hawaii who want to understand how used batteries will be managed
Auto dealers, manufacturers, and battery producers who may face new legal responsibilities
Environmental advocates concerned about battery waste and recycling impacts
Businesses in the waste management, energy storage, or recycling industries

The meeting is open to the public in person in Honolulu or online via Zoom on October 23, 2026, from 9:00–11:00 AM. Public comments are welcome.